Improvement in lamp-shades



A. A. SMITH. Lamp Shade.-

Patemed April 21,.1a68.

AUSTINVA. SMITH, OF SENECA FALLS, NEW YORK.

Letters Patent 'Nm 77,115, dated April 21, i868; antedaterl Aprvll,1868.

IMPROVEMENT INA LAMPf'SHADES.

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TO ALL WHOM Il MAY CONGERN:

Be it known that I, AUSTIN A. SMITH,'of Seneca Falls, in the county ofSeneca, and State of New York, have invented acertai'n new and usefulImprovement in Lamp and Gas-Light Shades; and Ido, hereby declare thatthe following is a full and exact description, thereof, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, making partof this speciiication.

Figure .lis a plan of my improved shade.

Figure 2, an elevation of the'same.

Figures 3 and 4, diagrams showing the spring-jointfor holding the panelsin position.'

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

My invention consists in forming 4thesides of a lamp or gas-light `shadeof ordinary form into numerous panels or sections situated uprightbetween` the rims, and turning horizontally or -angularly so as to openany fportion, on anyside, to allow the passage of light; also, in theemployment of a joint, consisting of two springwires resting in a square,or oblong slot, and operating in such a way as tohold the panel eitheropen or closed, as hereinafter set forth. v

As represented in the drawings, the skeleton of the-shade is composed oftop and bottom rims, A A, braces a a, connections b b, and the usualring, B, or its equivalent, for connecting the shade with the chimneyof-,the lamp, or with the tip of thegas-burne'r.. The shadeis in theusual form of 4lamp-shades, being the frustum of a'coue. l

' Between the rims A Aare situated numerous upright panels or sections,C C C, resting on joints 01 hinges so as to turn or swing' horizontallyor angularly, and tting closely together when shut. These panels formthe shade proper. i They maybe made of pasteboard, thin metal, oranyother suitable material. They may also heembossod, stamped with anyornamental design, or `made semi-transparent, if desired.

Thejoint or hinges g g may be arranged at any position, so that thepanels will turn horizontally or angulai-ly, but I prefer to locatethemeentrally at 'top and bottom. I lmake one set of the joints(preferably lthe upper) of 'two expanding spring-Wires,ff, securcd tothe panel, and resting in a square oroblong slot, ci', made in the rimA.: -The notches or elongations of this slot are se arranged that whenthe wires expand in them, the panel will stand either in an open orclosed position..

It is my object, in this constructomfto preserve the usual circular,.conical form of the shade, which is the only one adapted to generaluse, and at the same time prot-ido numerous panels, that canv be openedor closcd at pleasure on any side, and can be graduated to'allow thepassage of any desired degree of light.

I am aware that it has before been proposed to use sliding screens' withthefshade, as in Patent No. 39,438, but in this case only a very limitednumber of slides can bc employed, since as much space is covered by theslide in opening, as the space that is opened. v I ain also aware thatit has been proposed to employ a shade with four hinged flaps, that turnup vertically, as in Patent No. 48,632, but in this case` the usual formof thc shade is lost, and one substituted in the form ofy a truncatedpyramid, which isnot adapted to ordinary use. When the ilaps are turnedup they obstruct the -passageof light upward. I

In my shade I obviate the disadvantages of these. It is of the usualform, and adapted to all ordinary uses. I can set the panels all open,if desired,l so as to form no obstruction to the light at all, or I canopen one or more at any. point, independent of the others. I cangraduate the amount of space opened, from the single small panelto anydesired number, and when opened there is no obstruction to theupward'pa'ssagc of light.

Thespring-wires forming tue upper joint serve as a very convenient meansof holding the panels either closed or opened. A slight touchA oftheingers will turn the panel sufficiently to receive motion by thespring, when the panel turns automatically to the desired position. l

I donot claim' va shade with sliding screens closing the openings forthe passage of light, neither doI claim a. shade with hinged flapsturning up vertically; but

What I claim as my invention, and desireto secure by Letters Pateut,'is- 1. As n new article of manufacture, a. lamp or gnsdght shade ofusual form, compose-d of numerous upright pnelsV or sections, C C C,situated elosely'togethe'r to form a. screen, and turnnghorizontally ornngulmly on suitnblejoints, the whole arranged; and operating so thatany number of said panels may be opened at any desiredposition, end thepassage of light mnybe graduated, as herein set forth.

2. Forming one or both of ythe joints of-tho panels, of spring-wires ff,resting in the square'or oblong slots operating as and for the purposespecified.

In witness whereof, I'have hereunto signed my namel in the presence oftwo subscribing-witnesses.

' v A. A. SMITH.

Witnesses:

R. F. Oseoon, EDWIN S. COYE.

